DATE: Thursday, August 7, 1997              TAG: 9708060154

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Frank Roberts 

                                            LENGTH:   72 lines

REMEMBERING SOME PEANUT FEST ENTERTAINERS - PAST AND PRESENT

I have had more comments - all very favorable - since my announcement in the Daily Break that Neal McCoy would be the ``star'' of Peanut Fest.

He is not only one of Nashville's most consistent hit makers - he lives on the charts - but he is one of the most ``fun'' performers on the scene.

McCoy is not one of those singers who just stands and sings. He dances around, kids with the audience - makes them feel comfortable and happy. He is a showman.

His ``Greatest Hits'' album has been Top 10 for several months. His new fun piece, ``The Shake'' is shakin' the charts, as well as rumps.

He'll be at Peanut Fest Oct. 12. Come early and get a good stand - not much sitting. There will be a lot of folks from other Hampton Roads areas.

McCoy isn't the only country star coming to this general vicinity.

The Franklin-Southampton County Fair is bringing in two good ones in a couple weeks.

James Bonamy and David Kersh will each have two shows - Bonamy on Aug. 15 and Kersh, the next day.

At the moment, Kersh is not on the charts, but he usually has something going; Bonamy, who has been off the charts for a spell, is back on with ``The Swing.''

I'll have more - interviews with all three - in The Sun when we get closer to the play dates.

Remember some of the other country folks who have entertained at Peanut Fest?

Last year it was Tracy Lawrence, his former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader bride, Stacie, watching adoringly from the side of the stage.

It was a fun show. I spent about 30 minutes with him afterwards. He is not one into meeting the fans, but if you can get with him one-on-one, you'll enjoy his company.

Martina McBride, another who is not much into cavorting with the general public, performed in '96.

There was a killer trio in 1995. Russ Taff, who left contemporary Christian for country, but has gotten nowhere, Steve Wariner and Lisa Brokop.

The Mavericks were hot stuff when they got here in 1994, an excellent group but fading these days. Victoria Shaw also showed up that year. She gained a reputation as a songwriter and has been struggling to make it as a singer.

In 1993 there was Joy White, another good singer who is fading from the scene. Lord, what a fickle business is show business.

Suzy Bogguss is hanging in there. She was a 1992 guest. Very nice lady. Sammy Kershaw, a steady figure on the charts, was also around.

Billy Joe Royal, who was here in '91 no longer shows up on the charts, and it's a shame. He has a distinctive style, but that's not ``in'' during these days of assembly line voices. Also, he talked to anyone who approached him.

Marsha Thornton - who? - was here in 1990. There were no major country stars in 1989. A year before, we had T.G. Sheppard and Lynn Anderson. T.G. - a nice, sociable fun person - is off the charts, running a tourist place in Tennessee. Anderson is history, but had an impressive career.

In 1987, Juice Newton showed up. She was Tidewater's - before some yahoo decided to call the area Hampton Roads - good-sized gift to country music in the '80s. Good voice, unique, but now, nowhere to be seen. Interesting to talk to.

Vince Gill was here before he became the hot-hot-hot property he is today. If you can get to him, he is easy to talk to. Also that year - Jerry Reed.

Back to today - back to Peanut Fest '97. There are a few return engagements - you know - acts back by popular demand: The McLamb Rodeo, Nationwide Demolition Derby, the famed ``Grave Digger'' monster truck.

Also, as usual, there will be a kiddie day and a senior citizens day.

Altogether, according to Fest statistician, Linda Stevens, there will be 80 commercial exhibits, 75 arts-crafts exhibitors and 50 performing acts on the three stages.

And, yes, the world's only - well, as far as they know - peanut butter sculpture.

Hard to believe it's coming up so soon - Oct. 9-12, to be exact. I can't reveal the location - but there won't be any airplanes there.

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